ABOUT THE
Ewe frame drum
This page contains information about the Irie Tones Ewe (eh-way) frame
drum. Although we don't claim that it is exhaustive, we hope it gives
you a solid basic understanding of your instrument. If you need clarification
or have something you feel would be useful to add, please contact us.
We'd be happy to help!
Irie
Tones Ewe Frame Drum Features
Colors
All of our Ewe frame drums come with a beautiful natural finish. Clear
varnish is applied to the drum after the frame has been constructed
and before the head is installed. This enhances the natural beauty of
the wood grain, and protects the wood from scratches and abrasions,
and helps to seal in the wood's moisture.
Carvings
Our Ewe frame drums do not feature any carvings.
Skins
The Ewe frame drum is traditionally made with a shaved goat skin head,
which is what our Ewe frame drums come with by default.
Special Order Ewe frame drums
Larger or smaller size Ewe frame drums can be purchased on special order. You
can place an order at any time, allowing 4 to 8 weeks for delivery.
If you are interested in getting custom carvings or other unique features
don't hesitate to ask.
How
To Play Your Ewe Frame Drum
Position and Technique - The Ewe frame drum is played
from a seated position, with the drum resting on the legs. One hand
holds the drum by the frame where the boards cross, while the other
strikes the head. By varying the placement and weight of the playing
hand (center of drum to the rim; slapping or lightly tapping) and alternately
muting the sound with the fingers of the supporting hand holding the
inside of the frame, a large variety of sounds are created. The Ewe
frame drum percussion ensemble is more of a presentational, formal ensemble,
and usually accompanies an organized choir with a director.
Caution - Goat skin drums are generally only meant
to be played with bare hands; we do not recommend playing your Ewe frame
drum with a beater.
How To Care for and Maintain
Your Ewe Frame Drum
- Transport and Exposure - Although your drum is very
durable you should avoid exposing it to the elements (direct sunlight,
extreme heat or cold, dampness, rain, snow, etc.). Also avoid rapidly
moving the drum from one heat or humidity extreme to another. If you
need to take your Ewe frame drum to a different altitude you should
remove the tuning wedges, allowing room for tension changes as altitudes
and climates change.
- Cleaning - Your Ewe frame drum may be cleaned with
a damp cloth, but don’t apply cleansing agents or other cleaning
tools. Avoid playing with dirty hands or leaving your drum exposed to
sand or soil.
- Maintenance - Under normal circumstances your Ewe
frame drum skin does not require any oils or leather treatment to keep
it in shape; the oil from your hands should be sufficient. If you need
to replace any of the tuning wedges you can get them from them from
our website. If the drum gets knocked and the joints come loose, lightly
tap them back into place using a hammer.
How To Tune Your Ewe Frame
Drum
The tuning function on this drum consists of a floating frame being
pushing against the underside of the goat skin, increasing tension as
it stretches outward. In order to hold the floating frame in place the
tuning wedges need to be inserted between the it and the cross-boards.
To securely insert them you may light tap them with a wooden dowel.
To attain higher tension the wedges should be inserted further as the
floating frame is pushed upward.
Brief
History of the Ewe Frame Drum Drum
The Ewe frame drum is an adaptation of other Tar-family
drums from northern Africa, and is one of the traditional instruments
of the Ewe tribes around the Volta and Western regions of Ghana. Formal
Ewe frame drum ensembles consist of many sizes and varieties of this
drum, along with shekeres and metal chimes, and a choir with a director.
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